In most electrical stores, just flat out ask for a better price. You will usually get something off the ticket price right away, if you don't then just walk. If you do, and want to go further, from there it's mostly about keeping a poker face and keeping up the impression that you don't really care whether you buy it from them or someone else (or at all, unless it's a good deal). If you know another place has a very similar product for a cheaper price, this can be helpful too. If you have other stuff to buy as well, then go for a bundle price on the whole lot. Shop nearer the end of the month; salespeople have targets to hit. Work with the salespeople who seem "most keen" to help you, as they are often the most desperate for sales.

The best haggle was one I was not even trying to do, in Bulgeria I asked the price of a hat as I had bought one recently beofore in Moscow and the guy really wanted to sell it as I got it down from 20pounds to 10 pounds and I should of taken it but I just did not want it.

Make sure you know what you're talking about. If you're after a particular product then research it. Know it's features and which of them are valuable to you - most of the time where a salesperson sees value isn't where the customer sees it. Find out how much the item retails for at other shops. Don't always settle for a financial benefit - sometimes if the store just flat out can't help with the price they might be able to sweeten the deal with extra products or services.

I've gotten discounts on all sorts of things - building work, jewellery, services, presents, etc. You can: - Offer to pay cash - Compare with another stores products that are the same or similar - Appear indecisive (or actually be indecisive, works well with jeweller in high end stores) - Actually not care, and just walk away (worked in Bali, I got a hat with a sticker price of 120,000 down to 20,000, and got a string of monkeys down from 75K to 25K).

Compare prices with other retailers, and get them to better the price.I have found that retailers often over infalte prices, which then gives them a large amount of room to offer big percentage slaes. Quite a few retailers now do this sort of thing. But if you go to somewhere like Moor Wilsons which doesn't have sales like this, you will often find that their prices are very similar to the other retailers heavily discounted price.

wellygary: More recently cash is more of a pain for stores especially for large purchases, (The banks crucify them with cash deposit fees)

You are likely to get the same deal with EFTPOS, just don't try to pay by Credit Card...

I'll bite, why not pay with credit card?

I always pay with credit card, you still get the negotiated cash discount, you get the credit card reward points, and you get 1 month interest free money. Win, win , win.

Depends on the retailer as to whether they will allow that. Credit cards cost retailer around 2-3% so if you have negotiated a price, and still paying by credit card, there should still be the opportunity to get another 2% off the price if you pay by cash.

mattwnz: Depends on the retailer as to whether they will allow that. Credit cards cost retailer around 2-3% so if you have negotiated a price, and still paying by credit card, there should still be the opportunity to get another 2% off the price if you pay by cash.

I'd disagree somewhat. I negotiate a price up front (without mentioning I'm paying by CC), then pay with my CC at the checkout. Never been an issue. The people I deal with never asked if I'm paying cash or CC.

The only time this didn't work , was when I tried to pay for a car on my CC :)